Programme Overview
Our three-year pathway offers an ideal starting point for students who want to build their creative, technical, and academic skills before beginning the BA (Hons) Practical Filmmaking degree.
This pathway provides a supportive, skills-focused introduction to filmmaking, while also expanding your abilities across screenwriting, acting and post-production.
- Master both traditional and emerging technologies - from shooting on Super 16mm film to experimenting with motion capture and real-time virtual production.
- Specialise in your chosen role - pitch for and take on a defined crew position in your final year
- Graduate with a strong, diverse portfolio - showcasing short films, documentaries, and specialist projects.
Programme Facts
The first year of this pathway, the Foundation Year, is a dynamic, hands-on experience designed to expand your abilities across the full production process, allowing you to discover your strengths while building core creative and professional skills before transitioning into the full BA (Hons) Practical Filmmaking degree.
Our three year BA Practical Filmmaking course is an immersive, hands-on programme designed to develop your craft as a filmmaker while preparing you for the realities of working in the screen industries. From day one, you’ll learn by doing — gaining practical experience across key roles such as directing, producing, cinematography, editing, and sound, while collaborating with writers, actors, and fellow filmmakers.
You’ll build advanced technical skills through projects shot on Super 16mm film, explore storytelling through documentary production, and experiment with digital animation and real-time visual effects in virtual production. In your final year, you’ll specialise in a defined crew role on a professional-standard production team, refining your expertise while collaborating with peers on your graduation film.
By the time you graduate, you will have built a diverse portfolio of short films, documentaries, and technical projects that demonstrate both your creative vision and industry readiness.
- 64 UCAS points for September 2026 intake.
- International students need IELTS 6.0 overall (no less than 5.5 in any band) or equivalent.
- All applicants must submit a creative work sample and personal statement with their application. The Creative Work Sample should consist of a short film (2-3 minutes in length), storyboard/moodboard, or a story told through photography.
- Applicants for this course will be invited to attend an interview.
- If you are an international student and unsure of your eligibility please contact us on courses@centralfilmschool.com.
| Home | International | |
| Year 1 | £9,275 | £15,975 |
| Year 2 | £11,130 | £23,950 |
| Year 3 | £11,130 | £23,950 |
| Modules include: |
| Foundation In Screen Practice |
| Screen Industries Research |
| Writing Short Scripts |
| Professional Practice |
| Final Group Project |
Select a heading to view more details.
“Having a space to learn how to collaborate with like minded creatives with the goal to tell the stories you want to tell, is at the very heart of this course.”
Lea Krueger
BA Practical Filmmaking, 2024
Progression
On successful completion of the Foundation Year, you’ll move directly into the two-year BA (Hons) Practical Filmmaking programme.
Alumni Stories
Hear the motivating journeys of previous alumni, and how Central Film School has given them the necessary skills to step into the screen industries with confidence.
Have a question?
If you’d like to know more about our courses, or have any other questions, please fill in the form and a member of our Student Recruitment & Admissions Team will get back to you shortly.